Not of the expensive jewellery variety…but of the Slimming World award variety!

I have to say that I am thrilled to have this and would choose it over a piece of jewellery any day!

For me, this little bit of card and the shiny sticker – ‘life long magic results!’ – represents my freedom. It represents me clawing back my independence. It represents me getting my life back on track. It represents health. It also represents bucket loads of sweat, tears, and – at times – moaning like a bitch!

I watched a little video of myself today. It was recorded when I first began my treadmill exercise, when walking for 2 minutes almost finished me off. I also have photos of me lifting my BodyPump weights, which I used to do seated as I couldn’t stand for long enough. It was strange to see myself like that…almost unrecognisable.

So to think that I am now working out for at least 30 minutes, five time a week, every bloody week – which is what qualifies you to be in the platinum club! – it kind of humbles me in a way. Although I have to say that I am generally working out for 8 hours and 30 minutes each week…sorry, I had to get that in – I am very proud of my achievements!

The Slimming World Body Magic booklet – check your packs, it’s in there! – states that platinum means making gold standard Body Magic an intrinsic part of your life…as routine as brushing your teeth each day. It also states that you will enjoy a sense of amazing pride and achievement, the feel-good factor that comes with an active lifestyle, and all of the tremendous health benefits associated with exercise.

I won’t harp on about the benefits of exercise…you know it’s the way to go if you want a healthful lifestyle. It’s not essential for weight loss…but it is good fun!

My personal feeling is that a life without the kind of activity I do now just doesn’t seem one that I would enjoy. My mood gets such a boost from exercise…especially on those days when I feel as if I have had to drag myself to the gym. There is nothing more satisfying than taking your frustrations out on the gym equipment. I used to take them out on food…but this seems like a far more productive outlet.

So it was a good morning at my Slimming World group!

I lost another 2.5lbs today – taking my total loss to 19st 3lbs. I also bagged Slimmer of the Week which has been a rare occurrence in 2014! My book looks pretty blingy, but not much of the bling has been awarded this year – 17lbs so far in 2014…32.5lbs during the same period in 2013. Weight loss results are harder to come by now. I think my body has settled into a little rhythm but I am not desperate to speed it up dramatically. I have a few tricks up my sleeve and will use these as and when I need to. Plus, I think my PT will get tougher!

Group was great – a couple of new members, some good losses, fabulous support – I love it.

One member bought up the subject of online forums dedicated to Slimming World. Personally, I avoid them like the plague now as they can be rife with out of date or inaccurate information…or just plain bullshit conjured up from goodness knows where! I actually got banned from one years ago…it was more like an episode of Jeremy Kyle than a forum for Slimming World…they didn’t appreciate me voicing my opinion! I am not heartless, but when you see the same reasons and excuses being used time and time again there comes a point when the originator of these reasons and excuses needs to find a way of reaching their goal despite these…or else they will never reach that goal!

My advice – even when it comes to the recipes I post – is to check with your consultant or check the Slimming World website. Some followers of Slimming World tweak the plan so much that it barely resembles anything that is recommended in your books. Things like roasted chickpeas which are like peanuts, or Doritos made from lasagne sheets, or crisps made from thinly sliced potatoes…all of which sound fab…but actually need synning just as you would syn peanuts, Doritos, or crisps. Think about it…you would only make this kind of snack if you had already used your syns – or else you would just syn a bag of crisps. Or, you would be snacking on the equivalent number of calories (and therefore syns) and having your syns on top of these snack items…either way, you are not following the plan as it is intended. As with anything though, if it works for you and you are losing weight…so be it…just don’t spread these cheats with others as it won’t do them any favours!

So we decided that we trust wholeheartedly in our marvellous – and highly experienced – consultant and will be mindful that anything else might not be accurate.

I did get a little miffed with our groups private Facebook page today. It seems as if someone had posted a screenshot of a lady’s first week weigh-in results…15.5lbs. They were discussing if that was even possible, that she was drinking too much water, or that such results only happen with meal replacements or pills. Well…I lost 13lbs in my first week, and my biggest loss in a week was 19lbs. Losses depend on so many factors – for example she could have been used to eating loads of salty processed food and shunned it all…resulting in massive water loss. Obviously the 15.5lbs is not going to be pure fat. She could be a similar size to my starting weight…which means massive initial losses. Or she could have just followed the plan to the letter…as it fecking works – and got an amazing result in her first week. Here’s an idea…how about just being fecking happy for the woman? She is trying to shift this weight as are you – so why not be supportive?

Other than weigh in, I went to my aqua class, went shopping, saw the horses, caught up with my sister and her hubby and the kids, and then have spent some time with Mr WLB…although he is a preoccupied moody bugger this evening, so I think I am going to watch last nights ‘Mad Fat Diary’ and leave him alone.